Mahwah, NJ: The Ramapo College baseball team defeated the Rangers of Drew University today 12-9 in a non-conference match-up at home. The Roadrunners improve to 8-8 overall, while the Rangers fall to 10-10.
The Roadrunners scattered 15 hits throughout the game, behind Kellen Hardy who was 2-2 with a single and double, four RBI, and one run scored. Philip Mahlik went 3-4 with two RBI and two runs scored while Vincenzo Sita was 2-3 on the day with one RBI and one run scored.
Drew University got on the board in the 1st inning when Mike Pettigrew crossed home plate who reached earlier on a fielder's choice, giving the Rangers the 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the 1st, with two outs on the board, Liam Duffy would step up to the plate to send the ball into right field and would advance to second on a wild pitch. Kyle Buser would earn an RBI double when he laced the ball into center field bringing Duffy across home plate. Mahlik poked a single to left-center as Buser scored for the 2-1 lead.
The Rangers would tack on two more runs in the 3rd inning regaining the lead, 3-2. Ramapo would take the one run advantage, 4-3, in the 4th inning when Hardy would single to the short stop bringing Buser and Mahlik home. Buser led off the inning with a single to left field, stealing second, and Mahlik would reach first on a walk, both advancing on a sacrifice bunt from Sita.
Drew University would then take the lead when they plated two more runs in the 5th inning, 5-4. In the 6th inning, Mahlik would drive the ball into center field followed by Sita who would send the ball to left field. Nick Camilleri would be hit by a pitch to reach first base. With the bases loaded Hardy stepped up to the plate and drove the ball down the left field line just fair for a double, bringing both Sita and Mahlik home, 6-5. The Roadrunners would tack on six more runs throughout the 6th inning to lead 12-5. The Rangers would add four more runs in the 8th, but it would not be enough to outlast the Roadrunners who took the game, 12-9.
Thomas Feehan started on the mound for the Roadrunners and pitched 4.1 innings while striking out two, walking five, scattering four hits, and allowing five runs. Kyle Haag (2-1) earned the win for the Roadrunners, pitching 1.1 innings, facing five batters, walking one, and not giving up a hit. Greg Westhelle earned his second save of the season facing four batters striking out two.
The Roadrunners return to action at 3:30pm tomorrow at Jeff Maund Memorial Field, when they face SUNY Maritime in non-conference action.
